Have you ever been on the road, camping, or just hanging out in a place with less than modern luxuries and just wanted a good cup of joe? Everyone who drinks and appreciates coffee has had this dilemma.
A few years back while camping in northern Maine with my wife, I sat and realized what I was missing while in the outdoors, good coffee. The instant coffee, coffee bags, cowboy variety, and chicory just did not cut it for this self proclaimed snob who roasts his own beans and expects the best in every cup.
Upon coming home, I did research for the holy java grail. The device that would deliver me from the evil of the temptation of instant brew. I wanted something simple. I wanted something small, effective, and most importantly unbreakable. It had to be an environmentally sustainable product that would not wear out very quickly. I preferred it to be made domestically by a small company to lessen the production footprint and help the local economy. Granted had I not been able to find a product that met all these goals I would have been happy with just a couple. I did however, find one that met and exceeded them
I present the $25 Aeropress. This device is a reverse French press process in which instead of straining the grinds out of the water, the water is forced by way of manual pressure through a filter that captures the grinds.
At first look, the contraption reminds me of a giant syringe without the massive needle on the end. It’s made up of 4 parts, the plunger, housing, filter cap, and apparently disposable filter; though after at least 100 cups it’s still going strong. It also comes with a lifetime supply of additional filters, a funnel, stirrer and scoop.
The usage instructions are rather to the point, but I was never able to get a perfect cup using them. Instead, I’ve had success with one scoop per 8oz almost boiling water, add about an ounce of water to the housing, stir for 12 sec, press, and fill the cup with the other 7oz of water. Simple and to the point.
As this coffee press has worked so well for me, I have not used a traditional coffee maker for at least two years. I typically drink about 2-3 cups per day. At 365 days per year, I have almost made 2000 cups of coffee with it since new. The press is a bit faded, and the rubber plunger a bit worn. I contacted the company, and they happily sent me another plunger, gratis. It is now operating like new, and I imagine it will continue to go another 2000 cups or more.
The company that makes them is a Californian frisbee company named Aerobie. A small business formed in the 80s that produced the frisbee which broke the long distance throwing record in 2003 at a distance of 1333ft. Their website is http://aerobie.com/
So as you can see, this product met every one of my needs and especially the most important one of producing a great cup of coffee.
You can buy one here:AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker
Related Articles
- Ristretto | AeroPress (tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com)
- Aeropress: fast, portable, cheap, easy, delicious espresso (boingboing.net)